Coach B, I lift weights for general health and fitness and have never done any of the Olympic lifts. After reading the many benefits of Olympic lifting, I would really like to learn them.

Please correct me if I'm wrong .. from reading your Q&A section, the first step in learning any of the Olympic lifts seems to be the front squat.

In my regular workouts I do back squats, deadlifts, lunges, etc. but could never do the barbell front squats because of wrist flexibility (I can only do front squats when I can sort of hug the weights .. sandbags, medicine balls, etc.).

If I try to hold the barbell in the receiving position with the upper arms parellel to the floor, my palms would end up behind my neck. Also, in that position I could not keep the palms facing up; they would turn towards the side of my face.

Is there anything I can do to improve my wrist flexibility so I can do a proper barbell front squat, and in turn, start learning the Olympic lifts? Any tips/info is greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Norman.

Norman Tabalujan | 2007-07-29

good luck!!! that is a tough call!! one drill i use is take the bar, put it on the back as in back sqt., use a clean grip, while the bar is on the back drive your elbows forward, stretching the wrist. lack of wrist flex is common and can be dealt with, but it is a pain in the rear!!!!